Event-based currency

ABSTRACT

An approach to facilitating event-based currency is provided. A first virtual currency usable by users of a game space to purchase in-space benefits may be managed. An event in the game space that is conducted during an event time period may be managed such that, during the event time period, an event virtual currency may be distributed to one or more of the users as a reward for certain operations and/or achievements performed in the game space during the event time period. Exchanges of in-space benefits associated with the event virtual currency may be effectuated for one or more of the users. In some implementations, the event virtual currency may not available to the users after the event time period, while the first virtual currency may be available to the users during and after the event time period.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to event-specific currency, such asvirtual currency for an event within a virtual space that is availableand/or distributed to users during an event time period for performingcertain operations and/or achievements during the event time period.

BACKGROUND

Virtual currency provides users of virtual spaces with an alternative toreal-world money for obtaining in-space benefits, while providingservice providers with a source of revenue by offering the virtualcurrency in exchange for real-world money. Because the virtual currencythat is offered in virtual spaces is typically “permanent,” users of thevirtual spaces generally associate certain values to the virtualcurrency over time, which limits profitability associated with purchasesof virtual currency per unit and/or perceived benefits of the virtualcurrency per unit when offered to users as an incentive to performoperations/achievements. In addition, while promotional events relatingto a virtual currency regularly used in a virtual space (e.g.,discounting of price of the virtual currency, offers of the virtualcurrency as an incentive to perform operations/achievements, etc.) mayhave the effect of boosting short-term profits or in-spaceoperations/achievements, such promotional events may have lingeringlong-term negative effects, for instance, relating to profitability fromsale of the virtual currency or perceived benefits of the virtualcurrency by users.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured tofacilitate event-based currency, in accordance with one or moreimplementations. In exemplary implementations, a default virtualcurrency that may be usable by users of a game space to purchasein-space benefits may be made available to the users. An event conductedin the game space during a predetermined event time period may bemanaged such that, during the event time period, an event virtualcurrency may be distributed to one or more of the users as a reward forcertain operations and/or achievements performed in the game spaceduring the event time period. In-space benefits associated with theevent virtual currency may be provided during the event time period toindividual ones of the users in exchange for the distributed eventvirtual currency of the individual users. After the event time period,the event virtual currency may become unusable by or unavailable to theusers. In this way, among other benefits, negative impact on the defaultvirtual currency that is associated with virtual-currency-relatedpromotions may be avoided or otherwise reduced.

In some implementations, the system may include one or more servers. Theserver(s) may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms according to a client/server architecture. The usersmay access the system and/or a virtual space (e.g., a virtual world, agame space, etc.) via the client computing platforms.

The server(s) may be configured to execute one or more computer programmodules to facilitate event-based currency. The computer program modulesmay include one or more of a game module, a default currency module, anevent module, an exchange module, a user module, and/or other modules.In some implementations, the client computing platforms may beconfigured to execute one or more computer program modules that are thesame as or similar to the computer program modules of the server(s) tofacilitate event-based currency.

The game module may be configured to execute an instance of a gamespace. The game module may be configured to facilitate presentation ofviews of the game space to users. The game space may be configured tofacilitate interaction of the users with the game space and/or eachother by performing operations in the game space in response to commandsreceived from the users. The users may include a first user, a seconduser, and/or other users.

The default currency module may be configured to manage a first virtualcurrency usable by the users to purchase in-space benefits. In certainimplementations, the default currency module may be configured such thatthe first virtual currency may be purchasable with real-world money or asecond virtual currency. In some implementations, the in-space benefitspurchasable with the first virtual currency may include one or more ofvirtual goods, accesses to regions of the game space, abilities toperform operations in the game space, or other in-space benefits.

The event module may be configured to manage an event in the game spacethat is conducted during an event time period. The event module may beconfigured such that, during the event time period, an event virtualcurrency is distributed to one or more of the users as a reward forcertain operations and/or achievements performed in the game spaceduring the event time period.

In certain implementations, the default currency module may beconfigured such that the first virtual currency is available to theusers during the event time period. In some implementations, the defaultcurrency module may be configured such that the first virtual currencyis available to the users during and after the event time period.

The exchange module may be configured to effectuate, for one or more ofthe users, exchanges of in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency. The in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency may include one or more of virtual goods, accesses toregions of the game space, abilities to perform operations in the gamespace, or other in-space benefits.

In some implementations, the event module may be configured such thatthe event virtual currency may be purchasable with real-world money or asecond virtual currency. In other implementations, the event module maybe configured such that the event virtual currency may not be purchasedwith other currencies.

In certain implementations, the event module may be configured todeactivate the event virtual currency after the event time period. Forexample, the event virtual currency may be deactivated such that theevent virtual currency is not available to the user after the event timeperiod. In various implementations, the event module may be configuredsuch that the event virtual currency is distributed to a first userresponsive to the first user performing a first operation and/orachievement during the event time period, and such that the eventvirtual currency is not distributed to the first user responsive to thefirst user performing the first operation and/or achievement after theevent time period. In some implementations, the event module may beconfigured such that the event virtual currency expires after the eventtime period.

In various implementations, the exchange module may be configured suchthat the in-space benefits associated with the event virtual currencymay be different than the in-space benefits purchasable with the firstvirtual currency.

In certain implementations, the exchange module may be configured suchthat at least one of the in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency is the same as at least one of the in-space benefitspurchasable with the first virtual currency. In some implementations,the exchange module may be configured to manage costs associated withpurchase of in-space benefits. The exchange module may be configuredsuch that the costs include (i) a first set of costs for purchasingindividual in-space benefits of a first set of in-space benefits usingthe first virtual currency and (ii) a second set of costs for purchasingthe individual in-space benefits of the first set of in-space benefitsusing the event virtual currency.

In various implementations, the user module may be configured to managevirtual currency account information for the users. In someimplementations, the user module may be configured to, responsive to adetermination that the event time period has passed, modify the virtualcurrency account information to remove indications that the users haveevent virtual currency.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to facilitate event-basedcurrency, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface depicting a notification in a gamespace that indicates an event to be conducted during an event timeperiod in which event virtual currency associated with the event will beavailable, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for facilitating event-based currency, inaccordance with one or more implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 configured to facilitate event-basedcurrency, in accordance with one or more implementations. In exemplaryimplementations, a default virtual currency that may be usable by usersof a game space to purchase in-space benefits may be made available tothe users. An event conducted in the game space during a predeterminedevent time period may be managed such that, during the event timeperiod, an event virtual currency may be distributed to one or more ofthe users as a reward for certain operations and/or achievementsperformed in the game space during the event time period. For example, afirst user may be provided with a first amount of the event virtualcurrency responsive to performing a first operation and/or achievementduring the event time period and a second amount of event virtualcurrency responsive to performing a second operation and/or achievementduring the event time period.

In-space benefits associated with the event virtual currency may beprovided during the event time period to individual ones of the users inexchange for the distributed event virtual currency of the individualusers. These in-space benefits may, for instance, be automaticallyallocated to the individual users when they obtain a threshold amount ofthe event virtual currency. The in-space benefits may be allocated tothe individual users during the event time period in accordance with theamounts of the event virtual currency held by the individual users atsome predetermined time during the event time period. A particularin-space benefit may be allocated to a user when that user purchases thein-space benefit during the event time period in exchange for an amountof the event virtual currency that is associated with the in-spacebenefit.

After the event time period, the event virtual currency may becomeunusable by or unavailable to the users. On the other hand, in someimplementations, the default virtual currency may independently remainavailable to the users for purchase (e.g., in exchange for real-worldmoney, in exchange for other virtual currencies, etc.) or to purchasein-space benefits. In this way, promotional events (e.g., contests,third-party sponsored events, etc.) may be applied in the game spaceusing the event virtual currency in lieu of or in addition to thedefault virtual currency for such events. Among other benefits, eventsthat utilize event virtual currency may have little or no adverse effecton the default virtual currency while providing revenue for serviceproviders or incentives to encourage users to perform designatedoperations and/or achievements.

In some implementations, system 100 may include one or more servers 102.Server(s) 102 may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms 104 according to a client/server architecture. Theusers may access system 100 and/or a virtual space (e.g., a virtualworld, a game space, etc.) via client computing platforms 104.

Server(s) 102 may be configured to execute one or more computer programmodules to facilitate event-based currency. The computer program modulesmay include one or more of a game module 106, a default currency module108, an event module 110, an exchange module 112, a user module 114,and/or other modules. In some implementations, client computingplatforms 104 may be configured to execute one or more computer programmodules that are the same as or similar to the computer program modulesof server(s) 102 to facilitate event-based currency.

Game module 106 may be configured to execute an instance of a gamespace. In some implementations, the game space may be a virtual space.As such, an instance of the game space may be an instance of the virtualspace. A space module (not shown for illustrative convenience) may beconfigured to implement the instance of the virtual space executed bythe computer modules. The instance of the virtual space may reflect thestate of the virtual space. The instance of the virtual space may beused to push state information to clients for implementation on theclients, may be used to verify state information generated on clientsexecuting expressions of the instance locally, and/or for otherpurposes. State information may include information about the state ofthe virtual space such as, without limitation, position information ofone or more objects, topography information, object status/shapeinformation, battle information, score information, user or characterprogress information, user inventory information, progress informationfor one or more activities or actions, view information describing aview of the virtual space, and/or other information that describes thestate of the virtual space. Expressions of the instance executed on theclients facilitate presentation of views on the clients of the virtualspace. Expressions of the instance executed on the clients may beconfigured to simply present views of the virtual space based on thestate information (e.g., via streaming view information, object/positioninformation, and/or other state information) received from the spacemodule. Expressions of the instance executed on the clients may includespace logic that effectively provides for execution of a limited versionof the instance on a client that is synchronized and/or verified withstate information received from the space module. The view presented ona given client may correspond to a location in the virtual space (e.g.,the location from which the view is taken, the location the viewdepicts, and/or other locations), a zoom ratio, a dimensionality ofobjects, a point-of-view, and/or view parameters. One or more of theview parameters may be selectable by the user.

The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that isaccessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platforms 104)that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulatedspace may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction byone or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned withinthe topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. Insome instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. Inother instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface featuresof a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In someinstances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space.In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or morebodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived spacewith one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instanceexecuted by the computer modules may be synchronous, asynchronous,and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the views of the virtual space determined fromthe instance executed by the space module is not intended to belimiting. The virtual space may be presented in a more limited, or morerich, manner. For example, views of the virtual space may be selectedfrom a limited set of graphics depicting an event in a given placewithin the virtual space. The views may include additional content(e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/or other content) thatdescribes particulars of the current state of the place, beyond therelatively generic graphics. For example, a view may include a genericbattle graphic with a textual description of the opponents to beconfronted. Other representations of individual places within thevirtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance of the virtual space executed by the space module,users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena(e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or otherelements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual spaceand/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As usedherein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group ofobjects) present in the virtual space that represents an individualuser. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it isassociated. The user controlled element(s) may move through and interactwith the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space,other objects in the virtual space). The user controlled elementscontrolled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/orcustomized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” ofvirtual goods and/or currency that the user can use (e.g., bymanipulation of a user character or other user controlled element,and/or other items) within the virtual space.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space bycontrolling one or more of the available user controlled elements in thevirtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/orcommands input by the users through client computing platforms 104. Theusers may interact with each other through communications exchangedwithin the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more oftextual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications,and/or other communications. Communications may be received and enteredby the users via their respective client computing platforms 104.Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users throughserver(s) 102 (e.g., through the space module).

Default currency module 108 may be configured to manage a first virtualcurrency usable by the users to purchase in-space benefits. In certainimplementations, default currency module 108 may be configured such thatthe first virtual currency may be purchasable with real-world money or asecond virtual currency. In some implementations, the in-space benefitspurchasable with the first virtual currency may include one or more ofvirtual goods, accesses to regions of the game space, abilities toperform operations in the game space, or other in-space benefits.

By way of example, the first virtual currency may be a default virtualcurrency that is available for purchase by the users or use by the usersto purchase in-space benefits. In one use case, a particular user maypurchase 1000 Gems in exchange for 50 units of real-world money (e.g.,US$50), and the user's account may be credited with 1000 Gems. The usermay then pay for a specific virtual good (e.g., a food/beverage item, aclothing item, an accessory item, a weapon item, a time reduction item,etc.) with the purchased Gems, and the cost of the virtual good may bededucted from the user's account.

Event module 110 may be configured to manage an event in the game spacethat is conducted during an event time period. Event module 110 may beconfigured such that, during the event time period, an event virtualcurrency is distributed to one or more of the users as a reward forcertain operations and/or achievements performed in the game spaceduring the event time period.

For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface 200 depicting anotification 202 in a game space that indicates an event to be conductedduring an event time period in which event virtual currency associatedwith the event will be available, in accordance with one or moreimplementations. As indicated by notification 202, in one scenario,users may earn Event X Gems during event time period X by performing oneor more listed operations and/or achievements. As an example, the listedoperations and/or achievements may include visiting a virtual store inthe virtual space depicted by user interface 200, purchasing one or morevirtual goods at the virtual store, engaging in battle with other usersin the virtual space, defeating one or more enemies in the virtualspace, joining an alliance of users, checking in to a particularlocation in the virtual space, collecting a certain amount of resourcesof a particular type in the virtual space, building a certain structurein the virtual space, trying out new features available via the virtualspace, or other operations and/or achievements.

In certain implementations, default currency module 108 may beconfigured such that the first virtual currency is available to theusers during the event time period. In some implementations, defaultcurrency module 108 may be configured such that the first virtualcurrency is available to the users during and after the event timeperiod. For example, virtual currency account information for the usersmay indicate amounts of the first virtual currency credited toindividual ones of the users before, during, and/or after the event timeperiod. The individual users may use their first virtual currencybefore, during, and/or after the event time period to purchase in-spacebenefits based on their amounts of the first virtual currency indicatedby the virtual currency account information.

Exchange module 112 may be configured to effectuate, for one or more ofthe users, exchanges of in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency. The in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency may include one or more of virtual goods, accesses toregions of the game space, abilities to perform operations in the gamespace, or other in-space benefits.

By way of example, with respect to FIG. 2, users may earn Event X Gemsduring event time period X by performing one or more listed operationsand/or achievements. During event time period X, in-space benefitspurchasable with the earned Event X Gems may be exchanged for one ormore amounts of Event X Gems earned by the users. In one scenario, forinstance, in-space benefits may be automatically allocated to individualones of the users when they obtain a threshold amount of Event X Gems.For example, when a particular user collects 1000 Event X Gems for thefirst time during event time period X, allocation of a first rarevirtual good to the user's account may be initiated, and 1000 Event XGems may be deducted from the user's account. When the user collectsanother 1500 Event X Gems during event time period X, allocation of asecond rare virtual good to the user's account may be initiated, and1500 Event X Gems may be deducted from the user's account.

In another scenario, the in-space benefits may be allocated to theindividual users during the event time period in accordance with theamounts of the event virtual currency held by the individual users atsome predetermined time during the event time period. For example, eventtime period X may include 5 event sub-periods X1-X5. User categoriesassociated with the event indicated by notification 200 may include afirst category of users that have collected 0-999 Event X Gems by theend of a sub-period, a second category of users that have collected1000-1999 Event X Gems by the end of a sub-period, and a third categoryof users that have collected 2000 or more Event X Gems by the end of asub-period. At the end of each of the sub-periods X1-X5, the individualamounts of Event X Gems that each of the users have collected byperforming certain operations and/or achievements during the respectivesub-period may be calculated and deducted from the users' accounts(e.g., users may start with 0 Event X Gems at the beginning of each newsub-period within event time period X). In exchange, the appropriatecategories may be determined for each of the users, and rare virtualgoods may be allocated to individual ones of the users' accounts inaccordance with their respective determined categories. A user in thefirst category may be allocated a first virtual good, a user in thesecond category may be allocated a second virtual good, and a user inthe third category may be allocated a third virtual good such that thevalue of the third virtual good is greater than the value of the secondvirtual good, and the value of the second virtual good is greater thanthe value of the first virtual good.

In another scenario, the in-space benefits may be allocated to a certainnumber or percentage of users that collected the most Event X Gems. Forexample, in exchange for all of the Event X Gems that they collectedduring event time period X, the top 10% of users with the most Event XGems at the end of event time period X may be given access to a VIP clubin the game space where those users have a chance to win a significantamount of regular Gems.

In another scenario, a particular in-space benefit may be allocated to auser when that user purchases the in-space benefit during the event timeperiod in exchange for an amount of the event virtual currency that isassociated with the in-space benefit. For example, a first rare virtualgood may be purchased during event time period X for 1000 Event X Gems,a second rare virtual good may be purchased during event time period Xfor 2000 Event X Gems, and a third rare virtual good may be purchasedduring event time period X for 3000 Event X Gems.

In some implementations, event module may be configured such that theevent virtual currency may be purchasable with real-world money or asecond virtual currency. For example, with respect to FIG. 2, aparticular user of the game space may purchase 2000 Event X Gems duringevent time period X in exchange for 50 units of real-world money (e.g.,US$50).

In other implementations, the event virtual currency may not bepurchased with other currencies. In one use case, users may not be ableto buy the event virtual currency, but may obtain the event virtualcurrency by performing certain operations and/or achievements in thegame space during the event time period. In this way, users may havemore incentive to perform the certain operations and/or achievementsbecause they may not be able to buy certain sought-after in-spacebenefits. Such in-space benefits may, for instance, include in-spacebenefits that may only be purchased during the event time period usingthe event virtual currency, in-space benefits that may be purchasedduring the event time period using the event virtual currency and thatare difficult to otherwise obtain in the game space, or othersought-after in-space benefits.

Event module 110 may be configured to deactivate the event virtualcurrency after the event time period. For example, the event virtualcurrency may be deactivated such that the event virtual currency is notavailable to the user after the event time period. In one use case, withrespect to FIG. 2, the event virtual currency may be Event X Gems. Asindicated by notification 202, for instance, Event X Gems will only beavailable during event time period X. When event time period X is over,all traces of Event X Gems may be “erased” from the game space such thatusers that have not used all of the Event X Gems that they collected maynot access any remaining Event X Gems, and such that users may notcollect Event X Gems unless Event X Gems are offered again for anotherevent in the game space. In another use case, other event virtualcurrency may be utilized for future events in lieu of Event X Gems. Forexample, Event Y Gems may be used in lieu of Event X Gems during eventtime period Y, and Event Z Gems may be used in lieu of Event X Gemsduring event time period Z.

In various implementations, event module 110 may be configured such thatthe event virtual currency is distributed to a first user responsive tothe first user performing a first operation and/or achievement duringthe event time period, and such that the event virtual currency is notdistributed to the first user responsive to the first user performingthe first operation and/or achievement after the event time period. Forexample, referring to FIG. 2, Event X Gems may be provided to a userthat performs one of the listed operations and/or achievements if it isdetermined that the user performed the listed operation and/orachievement during event time period X. On the other hand, if the userperformed the listed operation and/or achievement after event timeperiod X, Event X Gems may not be provided to the user.

In some implementations, event module 110 may be configured such thatthe event virtual currency expires after the event time period. In oneuse case, for instance, all of the event virtual currency that a usercollects by performing certain operations and/or achievements during theevent time period may be rendered unusable to redeem in-space benefits.As such, in another scenario, while the user may still have the amountof the event virtual currency that he/she collected during the eventtime period, the user may not be able to use the event virtual currencyin the game space for anything of value. In yet another scenario, all ofthe event virtual currency that the user collected during the event timeperiod will be removed from the user's account upon expiration of theevent virtual currency.

In various implementations, exchange module 112 may be configured suchthat the in-space benefits associated with the event virtual currencymay be different than the in-space benefits purchasable with the firstvirtual currency. As an example, a first virtual good may be provided toa first user in exchange for some amount of the event virtual currencyfrom the first user, but the first virtual good may not be exchangeablefor any amount of the first virtual currency. As another example, asecond virtual good may be provided to the first user in exchange forsome amount of the first virtual currency from the first user, but thesecond virtual good may not exchangeable for any amount of the eventvirtual currency.

In certain implementations, exchange module 112 may be configured suchthat at least one of the in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency is the same as at least one of the in-space benefitspurchasable with the first virtual currency. In some implementations,exchange module 112 may be configured to manage costs associated withpurchase of in-space benefits. Exchange module 112 may be configuredsuch that the costs include (i) a first set of costs for purchasingindividual in-space benefits of a first set of in-space benefits usingthe first virtual currency and (ii) a second set of costs for purchasingthe individual in-space benefits of the first set of in-space benefitsusing the event virtual currency.

For example, with respect to FIG. 2, a particular rare virtual good ofwhich only 100 units may be distributed per month may be offered forpurchase during event time period X in exchange for 3000 Event X Gems(e.g., the event virtual currency). During the same time period or adifferent time period, the particular rare virtual good may be offeredfor purchase in exchange for 2000 Gems (e.g., the first virtualcurrency)

User module 114 may be configured to access and/or manage one or moreuser profiles and/or user information associated with users of thesystem 100. The one or more user profiles and/or user information mayinclude information stored by server 102, one or more of the clientcomputing platforms 104, and/or other storage locations. The userprofiles may include, for example, information identifying users (e.g.,a username or handle, a number, an identifier, and/or other identifyinginformation) within the virtual space, security login information (e.g.,a login code or password), virtual space account information,subscription information, virtual currency account information (e.g.,related to currency held in credit for a user), relationship information(e.g., information related to relationships between users in the virtualspace), virtual space usage information, demographic informationassociated with users, interaction history among users in the virtualspace, information stated by users, purchase information of users,browsing history of users, a client computing platform identificationassociated with a user, a phone number associated with a user, and/orother information related to users.

In some implementations, user module 114 may be configured to,responsive to a determination that the event time period has passed,modify the virtual currency account information to remove indicationsthat the users have event virtual currency. For example, with respect toFIG. 2, amounts of Event X Gems may be distributed to users during eventtime period X such that the virtual currency account informationassociated with those users may indicate that the users have thedistributed amounts. Upon determination that event time period X isover, user module 114 may remove the indications in the virtual currencyaccount information that the users have the distributed amounts so thatit appears to the users that they no longer have any Event X Gems.

Server(s) 102, client computing platforms 104, external resources 116,and/or other components may be operatively linked via one or moreelectronic communication links. For example, such electroniccommunication links may be established, at least in part, via a networksuch as the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated thatthis is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of thisdisclosure includes implementations in which server(s) 102, clientcomputing platforms 104, external resources 116, and/or other componentsmay be operatively linked via some other communication media.

A given client computing platform 104 may include one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program modules. The computer programmodules may be configured to enable an expert or user associated withclient computing platform 104 to interface with system 100 and/orexternal resources 116, and/or provide other functionality attributedherein to client computing platforms 104. By way of non-limitingexample, client computing platform 104 may include one or more of adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a netbook, asmartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms.

External resources 116 may include sources of information, hosts and/orproviders of virtual spaces outside of system 100, external entitiesparticipating with system 100, and/or other resources. In someimplementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein toexternal resources 116 may be provided by resources included in system100.

In some implementations, server(s) 102 may include an electronic storage118, one or more processor(s) 120, and/or other components. Server(s)102 may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange ofinformation with a network and/or other computing platforms.Illustration of server(s) 102 in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting.Server(s) 102 may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/orfirmware components operating together to provide the functionalityattributed herein to server(s) 102. For example, server(s) 102 may beimplemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together asserver(s) 102.

Electronic storage 118 may comprise non-transitory storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media ofelectronic storage 118 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server(s)102 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server(s)102 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.)or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 118 mayinclude one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., opticaldisks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape,magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-basedstorage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media(e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storagemedia. Electronic storage 118 may include one or more virtual storageresources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or othervirtual storage resources). Electronic storage 118 may store softwarealgorithms, information determined by processor(s) 120, informationreceived from server(s) 102, information received from client computingplatforms 104, and/or other information that enables server(s) 102 tofunction as described herein.

Processor(s) 120 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in server(s) 102. As such, processor(s) 120 may include oneor more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuitdesigned to process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor(s) 120 is shown in FIG. 1 asa single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor(s) 120 may include a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor(s) 120 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination. Processor(s) 120 may beconfigured to execute modules 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and/or othermodules. Processor(s) 120 may be configured to execute modules 106, 108,110, 112, 114, and/or other modules by software; hardware; firmware;some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or othermechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor(s) 120.As noted, in certain implementations, a given client computing platform104 may include one or more computer program modules that is the same asor similar to the computer program modules of server(s) 102. Clientcomputing platform 104 may include one or more processors that are thesame or similar to processor(s) 120 of server(s) 102 to execute suchcomputer program modules of client computing platform 104.

It should be appreciated that although modules 106, 108, 110, 112, and114 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a singleprocessing unit, in implementations in which processor(s) 120 includesmultiple processing units, one or more of modules 106, 108, 110, 112,and/or 114 may be located remotely from the other modules. Thedescription of the functionality provided by the different modules 106,108, 110, 112, and/or 114 described below is for illustrative purposes,and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules 106, 108, 110,112, and/or 114 may provide more or less functionality than isdescribed. For example, one or more of modules 106, 108, 110, 112,and/or 114 may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality maybe provided by other ones of modules 106, 108, 110, 112, and/or 114. Asanother example, processor(s) 120 may be configured to execute one ormore additional modules that may perform some or all of thefunctionality attributed below to one of modules 106, 108, 110, 112,and/or 114.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for facilitating event-based currency, inaccordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method300 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In someimplementations, method 300 may be accomplished with one or moreadditional operations not described, and/or without one or more of theoperations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations ofmethod 300 are illustrated in FIG. 3 and described below is not intendedto be limiting.

In some implementations, method 300 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 300 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 300.

At an operation 302, an instance of a game space may be executed.Operation 302 may be performed by a game module that is the same as orsimilar to game module 106, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 304, presentation of views of the game space to usersmay be facilitated. The game space may be configured to facilitateinteraction of the users with the game space and/or each other byperforming operations in the game space in response to commands receivedfrom the users. Operation 304 may be performed by a game module that isthe same as or similar to game module 106, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

At an operation 306, a first virtual currency usable by the users topurchase in-space benefits may be managed. In certain implementations,the first virtual currency may be purchasable with real-world money or asecond virtual currency. In some implementations, the in-space benefitspurchasable with the first virtual currency may include one or more ofvirtual goods, accesses to regions of the game space, abilities toperform operations in the game space, or other in-space benefits.Operation 306 may be performed by a default currency module that is thesame as or similar to default currency module 108, in accordance withone or more implementations.

At an operation 308, an event in the game space that is conducted duringan event time period may be managed. In various implementations, thefirst virtual currency may be available to the users during the eventtime period. In some implementations, the first virtual currency may beavailable to the users during and after the event time period. Forexample, virtual currency account information for the users may indicateamounts of the first virtual currency credited to individual ones of theusers before, during, and/or after the event time period. The individualusers may use their first virtual currency before, during, and/or afterthe event time period to purchase in-space benefits based on theiramounts of the first virtual currency indicated by the virtual currencyaccount information. Operation 308 may be performed by an event modulethat is the same as or similar to event module 110, in accordance withone or more implementations.

At an operation 310, distribution of an event virtual currency to one ormore of the users as a reward for certain operations and/or achievementsperformed in the game space may be facilitated during the event timeperiod. In certain implementations, the event in the game space may bemanaged such that the event includes the distribution of the eventvirtual currency responsive to certain operations and/or achievementsbeing performed in the game space. In some implementations, the eventvirtual currency may be purchasable with real-world money or a secondvirtual currency. In other implementations, the event virtual currencymay not be purchased with other currencies. Operation 310 may beperformed by an event module that is the same as or similar to eventmodule 110, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 312, exchanges of in-space benefits associated with theevent virtual currency may be effectuated for one or more of the users.In some implementations, the in-space benefits associated with the eventvirtual currency may be different than the in-space benefits purchasablewith the first virtual currency. As an example, a first virtual good maybe provided to a first user in exchange for some amount of the eventvirtual currency from the first user, but the first virtual good may notbe exchangeable for any amount of the first virtual currency. As anotherexample, a second virtual good may be provided to the first user inexchange for some amount of the first virtual currency from the firstuser, but the second virtual good may not exchangeable for any amount ofthe event virtual currency. Operation 312 may be performed by anexchange module that is the same as or similar to exchange module 112,in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 314, a determination of whether the event time period isover may be effectuated. Operation 314 may be performed by an eventmodule that is the same as or similar to event module 110, in accordancewith one or more implementations. Responsive to a determination that theevent time period is over, method 300 may proceed to an operation 316.

At operation 316, the event virtual currency may be deactivated. Incertain implementations, the event virtual currency may be deactivatedsuch that the event virtual currency is not available to the user afterthe event time period. In various implementations, the event virtualcurrency may be distributed to a first user responsive to the first userperforming a first operation and/or achievement during the event timeperiod. The event virtual currency may not be distributed to the firstuser responsive to the first user performing the first operation and/orachievement after the event time period. In some implementations, theevent virtual currency may expire after the event time period. Operation316 may be performed by an event module that is the same as or similarto event module 110, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 318, virtual currency account information for the usersmay be modified to remove indications that the users have the eventvirtual currency. Operation 318 may be performed by a user module thatis the same as or similar to user module 114, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating event-based currency tousers in an online game, wherein the users are associated with clientdevices, wherein the users include a first user associated with a firstclient device, the system comprising: one or more physical processorsconfigured by machine-readable instructions to: execute an instance of agame space in which the online game is played, and facilitateinteraction of the users with the game space in response to user inputreceived from the users through the client devices during gameplay;manage a first virtual currency in the game space, wherein the firstvirtual currency is exchangeable for in-space benefits; manage useraccounts of the users, wherein the user accounts include inventoriessuch that a first user account of the first user includes a firstinventory, wherein the first inventory includes a first amount of thefirst virtual currency; manage an event in the game space that occursconcurrently with the interaction of the users with the game space,wherein a duration of the event is temporary, wherein themachine-readable instructions are further configured such that: duringthe event, an event-specific virtual currency is managed in the gamespace, wherein the event-specific virtual currency is exchangeable forin-space benefits during the event, wherein the in-space benefitsobtained by the users in exchange for the event-specific virtualcurrency persist in the game space after the event, and after the event,the event-specific virtual currency is deactivated such that theevent-specific virtual currency is not available to the users, whereindeactivation of the event-specific virtual currency includestransmitting communications over a network to the client devices thatcause the client devices to present information to the users that theevent-specific virtual currency has been deactivated; effectuate,responsive to particular user input received from the first user throughthe first client device, and during the event, an exchange of aparticular amount of event-specific virtual currency for a particularin-space benefit, wherein the first inventory is reduced by theparticular amount of event-specific virtual currency, wherein theparticular in-space benefit persists in the game space after the event;and facilitate particular interaction of the first user in the gamespace, wherein the particular interaction involves the particularin-space benefit for the first user.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more processors are further configured to transmit game stateinformation obtained from the instance of the game space over thenetwork to the client devices to facilitate presentation of views of thegame space to the users on the client devices.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to facilitateexchanges of the first virtual currency in the game space by storinginformation associated with the first virtual currency on electronicstorage media.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured such that, during the event,event-specific virtual currency is distributed to the users in the gamespace as a reward for one or both of certain operations performed orachievements accomplished in the game space.
 5. The system of claim 4,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to monitor theinstance of the game space to identify one or both of performance of thecertain operations or accomplishment of the achievements in the gamespace.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors arefurther configured such that, after the event, the particularinteraction of the first user with the game space includes theparticular in-space benefit in the game space.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more physical processors are further configured bymachine-readable instructions such that the event-specific virtualcurrency expires after the event.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theone or more physical processors are further configured such that thefirst virtual currency is available to users during the event.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more physical processors arefurther configured to re-activate the event-specific virtual currencyduring a second event in the game space, wherein the second event occurssubsequent to the event.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore physical processors are further configured such that the in-spacebenefits associated with the event-specific virtual currency aredifferent than the in-space benefits purchasable with the first virtualcurrency.
 11. A computer-implemented method of facilitating event-basedcurrency to users in an online game, wherein the users are associatedwith client devices, wherein the users include a first user associatedwith a first client device, the method being implemented on a computersystem that includes one or more physical processors and storage mediastoring machine-readable instructions, the method comprising: executingan instance of a game space in which the online game is played, andfacilitate interaction of the users with the game space in response touser input received from the users through the client devices duringgameplay; managing a first virtual currency in the game space, whereinthe first virtual currency is exchangeable for in-space benefits;managing user accounts of the users, wherein the user accounts includeinventories such that a first user account of the first user includes afirst inventory, wherein the first inventory includes a first amount ofthe first virtual currency; managing an event in the game space thatoccurs concurrently with the interaction of the users with the gamespace, wherein a duration of the event is temporary, wherein: during theevent, managing an event-specific virtual currency in the game space,wherein the event-specific virtual currency is exchangeable for in-spacebenefits during the event, wherein the in-space benefits obtained by theusers in exchange for the event-specific virtual currency persist in thegame space after the event after the event, deactivating theevent-specific virtual currency such that the event-specific virtualcurrency is not available to the users, wherein deactivation of theevent-specific virtual currency includes transmitting communicationsover the network to the client devices that cause the client devices topresent information to the users that the event-specific virtualcurrency has been deactivated; effectuating, responsive to particularuser input received from the first user through the first client device,and during the event, an exchange of a particular amount ofevent-specific virtual currency for a particular in-space benefit,wherein the first inventory is reduced by the particular amount ofevent-specific virtual currency, wherein the particular in-space benefitpersists in the game space after the event; and facilitating particularinteraction of the first user in the game space, wherein the particularinteraction involves the particular in-space benefit for the first user.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: transmitting game stateinformation obtained from the instance of the game space over thenetwork to the client devices to facilitate presentation of views of thegame space to the users on the client devices.
 13. The method of claim12, further comprising: facilitating exchanges of the first virtualcurrency in the game space by storing information associated with thefirst virtual currency on electronic storage media.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising: during the event, distributingevent-specific virtual currency to the users in the game space as areward for one or both of certain operations performed or achievementsaccomplished in the game space.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: monitoring the instance of the game space to identify one orboth of performance of the certain operations or accomplishment of theachievements in the game space.
 16. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: after the event, facilitating the particular interaction ofthe first user with the game space through use of the particularin-space benefit in the game space.
 17. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: facilitating expiration of the event-specific virtualcurrency after the event.
 18. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: facilitating availability of the first virtual currency tousers during the event.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:re-activating the event-specific virtual currency during a second eventin the game space, wherein the second event occurs subsequent to theevent.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising: facilitating thatthe in-space benefits associated with the event-specific virtualcurrency are different than the in-space benefits purchasable with thefirst virtual currency.